Head halter



March 25, 1958 T. c, WARD 2,827,896

HEAD HALTER Filed May 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Thomds 6, Ward INVENTOR.

March 25, 1958 T. "c. WARD 2,827,896

HEAD HALTER Filed May 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Thomas C. Ward INVENTOR.

United States Patent HEAD HALTER Thomas C. Ward, Waco, Tex.

Application May 29, 1956, Serial No. 588,142

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-75) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in traction devices, and more particularly to a head bandage for cervical traction.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved head halter for cervical traction, the head halter being so constructed whereby it is self-adjusting as to front and rear tension when a traction applying force is placed thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved head halter, the head halter being of an extremely simple construction and formed of a one-piece of material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved head halter which is so constructed whereby the manufacturing cost thereof is extremely low so as to be economically feasible and at the same time may be readily applied to ones head with a minimum of time and effort.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved head halter for cervical traction, the head halter being formed of a single piece of material having strap portions, the strap portions being so interlocked whereby they provide a chin cup and a brace for the rear of the head so that the head is properly supported by the head halter during the traction operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a patient whose head is positioned in the head halter for cervical traction, the head halter having connected to the upper part thereof a traction line;

Figure 2 is a partial rear view of the patient of Figure 1 showing further the relative position of the head halter with respect to the patients head;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the head halter is formed showing the one-piece construction thereof;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the head halter removed from the patient and showing the specific details thereof; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 4 and shows the specific construction of the chin cup.

Referring now to the drawings in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 3 a blank from which the head halter is formed. The blank 10 is in the form of a single piece of material, preferably a woven cloth, and includes a central portion 12 from which straps 14, 16, 18 and extend. The straps 14 and 16 are identical and form a first pair of straps, the straps 14 and 16 extending in opposite directions of the central portion 12. The straps 18 and 20 are identical and form a second pair of straps, the straps 18 and 20 also extending in opposite directions from the central portion 2,827,896 Patented Mar. 25, 1958 ice 12. It is to be noted that the straps 14, 16, 18 and 20 are disposed generally parallel to each other.

The straps 1d and 16 terminate in reduced end portions 22 and 2 respectively, which are disposed at a slight angle to the longitudnal axis of the straps 14 and 16. The straps 18 and 2t terminate in reduced end portions 26 and 26, respectively, the end portions 26 and 28 being disposed at a relatively great angle to the lam gitudinal axis of the straps iii and 20. In order to provide for a suitable interlocking of the straps, the strap 18 is provided adjacent he central portion 12 with a longitudinally extending slot 3d. A similar slot 32 is formed in the strap 29. The central part of the strap 20 is also provided with an elongated slot 34.

In order to provide clearance for the mouth and throat, there is provided in opposite sides of the central portion 12 recesses 30 and 32.

In order that the head halter, which is referred to, by the reference numeral 36, may be formed, the strap 14 is passed through the slot 3%} and the strap 16 is passed through the slot 32. Further, the strap 18 is passed through the slot 34 so that the straps 14, 16, 18 and 20 are arranged as is best illustrated in Figure 4.

After the straps 14, 16, 13 and 20 have been interlocked, the end portions 22 and 28 are connected together by suitable stitching 38 and a loop 40 is formed. Positioned in the loop 4-13 is a ring 42. Also, the end portions 24 and 26 are secured together by suitable stitching 44 to form a loop portion 46. Positioned in the loop portion 46 is a suitable ring 48.

It is to be noted that when the straps 14, 16, 18 and 28 are interlocked, the central portion 12 is folded longitudinally thereof so as to be of a generally L-shape, as is best illustrated in Figure 5. Thus the central portion 12 and the straps i4, 16, 18 and 2t) define a chin strap 50. Also, the crossing of the straps 18 and 20 forms a suitable base 52 for the back of the patients head.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, it will be seen that when the head halter 36 is properly positioned on a patients head, the chin cup 50 engages the chin of the patient and the straps 14 and 16 extend upwardly along the sides of the patients head at the front thereof for firm support. The straps 18 and 20 pass under the patients ears and around the back of the patients head with the brace 52 firmly bracing the back of the patients head immediately above the area of the neck.

In order that the necessary traction may be applied, there is provided the customary traction line 54. The traction line 54 is provided at the lower end thereof with a snap fastener 55 which engages the rings 42 and 48 for releasably connecting the head halter 36 to the traction line 54. The necessary tension is placed on the traction line 54 in the conventional manner.

Because the individual straps 14, 16, 18 and 20 are slidably interlockingly engaged, it will be readily apparent that as tension is applied to the upper ends of the straps 1d, 16 and 20, they Will slide with respect to each other so that they adjust to fit the patients head. Thus the patients head will be firmly grasped by the head halter 36 at all times and properly supported for cervical traction.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and chan es will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A head halter for cervical traction, said head halter comprising a single piece of material including a Wide central portion and divided end portions, said divided end portions forming four separate straps, said straps including first and second straps disposed at opposite ends of said central portion, each of said first straps overlapping and interlocking a corresponding one of said second straps immediately adjacent said central portion to define a chin cup, said second straps being disposed in crossed relation to form a base for the back of the head, remote ends of said straps being connected together in pairs, a traction line attaching ring carried by each of said pairs.

2. A head halter for cervical traction, said head halter comprising a single piece of material including a wide central portion and divided end portions, said divided end portions forming four separate straps, said straps including first and second straps disposed at opposite ends of said central portion, each of said first straps overlapping and interlocking a corresponding one of said second straps immediately adjacent said central portion to define a chin cup, said second straps being disposed in crossed relation to form a base for the back of the head, remote ends of said straps being connected together in pairs, 21 traction line attaching ring carried by each of said pairs, at the juncture of said straps of said pairs.

3. A head halter for cervical traction, said head halter comprising a single piece of material including a wide central portion and divided end portions, said divided end portions forming four separate straps, said straps in eluding first and second straps disposed at opposite ends of said central portion, each of said first straps overlapping and interlocking a corresponding one of said second straps immediately adjacent said central portion to define a chin cup, said second straps being disposed in crossed relation to form a base for the back of the head, remote ends of said first straps being connected to a remote end of an opposite one of said second straps, a traction line attaching ring carried by each pair of straps at said remote ends.

4. A head halter for cervical traction, said head halter comprising a single piece of material including a wide central portion and divided end portions, said divided end portions forming four separate straps, said straps including first and second straps disposed at opposite ends of said central portion, each of said first straps overlapping and interlocking a corresponding one of said second straps immediately adjacent said central portion to define a chin cup, said second straps being disposed in crossed relation to form a base for the back of the head, remote ends of said straps being connected together in pairs, a traction line attaching ring carried by each of said pairs, said second straps being interlocked at their point of crossing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 892,560 Smith July 7, 1908 1,110,772 Gunderman l Sept. 15, 1914 2,642,864 Ward June 23, 1953 

